SNYDER'S STOUGHTON: Is your destiny written in the cards?

By Mark Snyder

Thursday

Jun 28, 2018 at 10:10 AMJun 28, 2018 at 10:10 AM

Bingo is back, and Stoughton residents are loving it. Ahavath Torah Congregation on Central Street has brought back bingo, and people are flocking there. Nearly 100 players a week are enjoying the excitement of bingo, along with refreshments at an affordable price. And some people are going home big winners. Bingo at ATC reopened about two years ago, and it had its 100th event on June 18.

On June 11 (in a celebration of my birthday), there were two progressive jackpots - one for $1,199 and the mega progressive for $3,000.

In addition to the excitement of bingo itself, and the pull tab games sold along with it, there also is a free pasta and salad dinner once a month, which even includes a gluten-free option. The next free dinner is July 16. There is no bingo on July 2, due to Fourth of July week.

Marlene Elmowitz, co-chair of bingo (with her husband, Lee) at ATC, tells Snyder's Stoughton, "We have had up to 135 people here when the pot gets to $3,000 and ball count is high. A coverall bingo is usually won with around 52 to 60 balls. The way the progressive game works is that it goes up by two ball every week and the prize value goes up each week. Most of our players say we are the friendliest volunteers and many of them frequent many bingo halls two to three times a week."

The work that goes into offering bingo is enormous. Elmowitz explains, "Each week, ATC Bingo requires about 25 volunteers in order to make it happen. We have members of our temple that volunteer, and we even have people that aren’t members of our temple that volunteer their time. This includes students from Stoughton High's National Honor Society and other school clubs. The students love volunteering, (and we) reward them with some of our delicious café food for free."

ATC offers food each week for purchase as many come directly from work. The café offerings include pizza, French fries, quesadilla, nachos, sandwiches, and all kinds of snacks at a very low cost. Food is offered at cost. And it's good. The synagogue also offers free coffee, tea and dessert during the break each week.

And, sometimes, even love flourishes at bingo. Bev Barbell and Al Gersin met there a decade ago and are still going strong.

So, come find love, great food, or maybe some extra money, at bingo at ATC!

Elmowitz says bingo has become a major fundraiser at the temple. She says it helps keep the temple's doors open and "without the support of the volunteers every week, we could never do this."

She says that the volunteers and players really enjoy each other's company, adding, "We become a family and really get to know our players on a personal basis, and we worry when they don’t show up. We pray they aren't sick. We have seen moms' clubs and girls' night out, and of course, our faithful seniors who plan their whole day around bingo and literally show up early to help with small tasks needed, and to reserve their favorite seats."

There are fun giveaways from the lottery, as well as for holidays like Halloween, Christmas and Chanukah.

In addition to the Elmowitzes, the other co-chair is Leslie Boyle (who also serves as treasurer). Past president David Schultz is floor manager, in charge of the lottery strips that are sold.

There are five callers: Gersin, Roy Cohen, Schulz, Dr. Arthur Mallock and Ellen Jacobs. ATC always is looking for more. If you'd like to volunteer or want more information, contact Elmowitz at the temple at 781-344-8733 or go to ATC bingo Facebook page.

RUMBLINGS AROUND TOWN

YOUTH HOCKEY COMING TO STOUGHTON! An exciting new opportunity for Stoughton is in the works. Stoughton Youth Hockey for Stoughton kids in grades 3-6 is beginning. Stoughton High School hockey has had a storied history. The board of directors is made up of Stoughton residents, three of whom played high school hockey for Stoughton. The program wants to create an environment where Stoughton kids have the opportunity to learn the great game of hockey in a fun, no stress environment. This is an introductory level of hockey. Your son or daughter does not need any hockey experience at all. Each team will be made of up Stoughton kids only and they will have one practice and one game a week. More details will follow in the coming weeks, including registration, sponsorship opportunities, and coaching opportunities. Share its page (https://www.facebook.com/StoughtonYouthHockey) to help get the word out. You can reach out to board their board members as well. They are: John Bonney, Mathew Gada, Dennis Gada and Matt Sera. There's also support from FOSH and Stoughton High School varsity hockey coach Dan Mark.

Mark Snyder, who has written more than 2,500 articles in newspapers and magazines, and published three books, is the CEO of PMPNetwork.com, the internet’s entertainment superstation. He also started the Stoughton News group on Facebook, which has over 7,100 subscribers. Have a story idea? He can be reached by e-mail via snydersstoughton@aol.com, via toll free fax at 866-655-8234, and on Facebook.